Once a King invited a Saint in his palace. He welcomed him with great respect and honor. The Saint stayed in the palace for a few days. During his stay the King showed the Saint various chambers of his palace. He boasted of several artifacts and gems he had acquired during his frequent visits to far off places. The Saint kept mum while looking at the huge collection of the King’s valuable assets, let alone admire them!
After a few days passed, the Saint returned to his hut. Now he invited the King in his ashram. He showed him various things necessary in day to day life which were cheap and inexpensive. These simple things failed to attract the King’s attention. Hence the King kept looking at them with much of disinterest and indifference. While strolling along the bank of the nearby stream, they came across a wheat grinder run by the flowing water. The King had become quite irritated by now, hence seeing the grinder he commented, ” This is present in every household. It is so cheap. What significance does it hold?”
The Saint became serious. He replied, “You are unable to acknowledge the importance of this grinder as you are blinded by the glare and sparkle of your gems. Although both your gems & the grinder are made of stones, still there is a remarkable difference between the two.Your gems are of no use except awakening greed & jealousy. They also need guards lest they may be stolen. But my grinder obliges people throughout its life as it satisfies the hunger of all”
The King, now enlightened had acquired wisdom by now through this exemplary statement. He was able to differentiate between usefulness and uselessness of things now.